Sheet piling apparatus



June 7, 1949. E. R. MUDDIMAN SHEET FILING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

H15 ATTORNEY.

Filed Sept. 16, 1947 June 7, 1949.

E. R. MUDDIMAN SHEET FILING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1947 INVENTORII [4511 MUflfl/M BYI H\5 ATTORNEY.

' E. R. MUDDIMA N 2,472,225 SHEET FILING APPARATUS June 7, 1949.

4 Shee ts-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 16, 1947 2 INVENTORI [4911 E Maw/M4,

m5 ATTORNEY.

June 7, 1949. E. R. MUDDIMAN 2,472,225

SHEET FILING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 15347 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

4914 B. Mafia/MAW Hi5 ATTORNEY.

' Patented June 7,1949

Earl] R. Muddiman,

Carnegie-Illinois tion of New Jersey Wilkinsburg, Pa., in... to Steel Corporation, a corpora- Application September 16, 1947, Serial No. 774,239

This invention relates to apparatus for piling sheets, and particularly for piling cut lengths of metal sheets as they emerge from a processing line.

A usual step in the production of metal sheets 20 Claims. (Cl. 2 71+.-'71) is to pile rapidly moving, out lengths of sheet into uniform stacks. Such piling commonly follows a shearing operation, in which a rapidly moving,

continuous strip is cut to appropriate lengths by flying shears, although various other operations, such as rolling or plating, may immediately precede piling. In previous pilers with which I am familiar, each sheet piled scrapes across the top surface of the preceding sheet in the stack. The rapid motion of the sheets is halted abruptly when the sheets engage a fixed stop. Such scrap ing and abrupt stopping are likely to damage sheets, particularly those of light gauge, or those having finished surfaces.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improved pilers wherein sheets are slowed gradually before stopping and are dropped on the stack without scraping across it, thereby eliminating damage from these sources encountered with previous pilers.

A further object of the invention is to provide,

- improved pilers embodying rotating, inverted screw-threaded cones, that carry sheets to piled position, the linear speed of the cone threads progressively diminishing, whereby the sheets are slowed gradually before deposition in the stack.

A further object of the invention is to provide pilers embodying improved feed mechanism in which sheets are automatically spaced and bowed,

the feed mechanism progressively lowering the sheet at the same rate as the cones.

A further object of the invention is to provide pilers as described having improved means for diverting reject sheets.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention I have provided improved details of structure, a preferred form of which is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an improved sheet piler embodying features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the piler;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the piler taken substantially on line III---III of Figure 2 Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of the piler taken substantially on line-IV-IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view showing the driving and synchronizing mechanism and taken substantially on line V-V of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a schematic view showing a pre-' ferred wiring diagram and pneumatic valve arrangement employed in the piler.

Referring more in detail to thedrawings:

The piler of the present invention embodies essentially a handling mechanism II for piling sheets S instacks and a cooperating feed mechanism Ii for delivering sheets to said handling mechanism. These mechanisms and their operating means are described hereinafter in that order. a

The handling mechanism comprises two series of inverted, screw threaded cones l2 and, I3 arranged in spaced parallel, aligned rows adjacent opposite sides of the mechanism. .The cones preferably are of like construction except that cones I2, on the left as viewed in Figure 4, have left hand screw threads and cones ll have right hand screw threads. As shown in Figure 4, the cones are mounted on axes inclined outwardly from the vertical at angles such that the inner opposed side threads engage the edges of the sheet and propelthe'sheet to the right and downwardly. As the sheet advances, threads of succeeding cones engage its edges and the sheet thereby is propelled to the end of the handling mechanism. The sheet drops from the bottom thread of the last cones onto a stack support ll, which may be of conventional design having the usual stops i5-for aligning the sheets.

The taper and length of the cones is such that the diameter of the bottom thread is but a small fraction of'that of the top'thread. The peripheral speed of the bottom thread bears the same ratio to that of the top thread as their diameters.

Thus the forward linear speed of the advancing.

the last few cones on the lower threads. Since, the cones in each series are of like construction,

' one set of rolls. Likewise, while the first cones may be interchanged with the last when they become worn.

The cone sum and driving means includes an outer framework," which supports manually rotatable, transverse shafts l1 and It in suitable bearing adjacent opposite ends, Figures 2 and 3, said shafts having oppositely directed threaded sections it and 26 on opposite end portions. Longitudinal beams 2| and 22, which extend substantially the length of the handling mechanism, are threadedly engaged with shafts I1 and i6. One of said shafts preferably carries a hand wheel 23 and the shafts are operatively connected to rotate in unison by a chain and sprocket mechanism 24. Thus rotation of hand wheel 23 rotates both shafts I1 and I8 and adjusts the spacing between beams 2| and 22.

Longitudinal tatably mounted drive shafts 25 and 26 are roin suitable hearings on beams 2| and 22, respectively, and are powered by means hereinafter described. Said beams also carry a plurality of bearings 21 and 26, respectively, in which cones I2 and ii are rotatably mounted. Bevel gears 26 and 36 operatively connect cones l2 and I: to drive shafts 25 and 26, respectively. As viewed in Figure 4, drive shaft 25 rotates counterclockwise and drive shaft 26 rotates clockwise.

A transverse drive shaft 6|, best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5 is rotatably supported in suitable bearings in framework l6 and driven by suitable motive means, such as motor 32. Worms 33 and 34 having oppositely directed threads are keyed to shaft 3| slidable on the shaft. Longitudinal drive shafts 25 and 26carry worm gears 35 and 36 which en age worms 36 and 64, respectively.

From the structure thus far described, it is seen that rotation of transverse drive shaft 3| rotates longitudinal drive shafts 25 and 26, and rotation of these latter shafts rotates cones l2 and l3. Worms I3 and 34 slide on shaft 2| longitudinally of this shaft when cone spacing is adjusted by manual rotation of transverse shafts l1 and- It.

The construction of best shown in Figures 1 and comprises a frame 40 supported at its rear on a standard 4| for pivotal movement on a transverse horizontal axis 42. The forward end of said frame adjacent-handling mechanism I0 is supported. for vertical movement coordinated with movement of sheets in the cones by means hereinafter described.

Frame 46 carries conveyors 43 and 44 for moving sheets from the discharge of the processing line to handling mechanism l0 and one or more sets of I mating convex and concave rolls 45 and 46 for imparting a slight upward bow to the sheets to prevent sagging while the sheets are subsequently carried by the cone threads (see Figure 4). The .conveyors and rolls are driven by motor 32 through suitable chain and sprocket mechanism connected to shaft 3|, Figure 2. The conveyor speed is slightly greater than that of the sheets in the processing line in order that the conveyor may provide for spacing the sheets somewhat, the exact distance of spacing not being critical.

While I have shown two conveyors in tandem and two sets of convex and concave rolls, it is apparent that similar operations would result by employing a continuous conveyor and only I have illustrated to rotate therewith, but are the feed mechanism is 3. This mechanism the conveyors as formed of individual transversely spaced belts, Figure 2, it is apparent that other forms of conveyors, such as unitary belts, could be employed.

The forward rolls 46 are most set of cones l2 and It by a distance such that sheets of minimum length for which the piler is used are still engaged with said rolls until they have become engaged with the threads of several cones. When a sheet passes through the rolls and engages the topmost thread, the rolls and top thread are at the same level, which is referred to as the entry level" and is the position illustrated in Figure 3.

A pair of upright screw threaded shafts 4i and 46 are rotatably mounted in suitable bearings adjacent opposite sides of the forward end of frame 40. Shafts 41 and 48 are. geared to transverse drive shaft 6| to rotate therewith by bevel gears 49, Figure 5. The shaft threads and cone threads have the same pitch. The gearing is such that the angular velocity of shafts 41 and 48 is the same as that of the cones.

Spring pressed dogs 56 and 5| are pivoted to the forward portion of frame 40 and normally engage the threads of shafts 41 and 46, Figure 3. As these shafts rotate, the threaded engagement with said dogs lowers rolls 46 at substantially the same rate as the sheet is lowered by the cones, the difference in radii from axis 42 to the rolls and to the shafts being inconsequential. Thus the sheet is not bent longitudinally as it passes from the rolls to the cones.

After each sheet emerges from rolls 46, the frame is lifted back to the entry level by pneumatic cylinder and piston means 52, pivotally attached to the frame at 53 and to the floor beneath the frame at 54. The cylinder is actuated automatically at proper times by means hereinafter described. A retractable stop 55 engages the forward end of the frame to stop normal upward movement of the frame at the entry level. During upward movement of the frame, dogs 50 and 5| ride over the threads of shafts 41 and 46, which thus act as ratchet teeth.

When it is desired to reject a defective sheet, stop 55 is retracted. Pneumatic means 52 then lifts frame 40 beyond the entry level to alignment with a reject rack 56, which may be any convenient fixed support situated above handling mechanism I0. After one or more sheets are conveyed to said reject rack, the frame is lowered to the entry level and feeding continued to the handling mechanism as previously described.

Figure 6 shows a preferred circuit for performing the operations just described. The circuit includes lines 60 and 6| connected to a suitable outside power source. A solenoid 62 of a. solenoid operated valve 63 is connected across said lines by conductors 64 and 65.

Conductor 64 contains a photoelectric cell 66 which, as shown in Figure 3, is located in substantial vertical alignment with the forward end of frame 45 above the normal path of sheet travel. A light source 61 is located in vertical alignment with cell 66 beneath the path of sheet travel. Thus the beam of light between source 61 and cell 66 is interrupted whenever a sheet is feeding into the handling mechanism, but is established at the conclusion of the feeding of each sheet.

Whenever current passes through cell 66, solenoid 62 is energized and valve 66 is operated to connect pneumatic means 52 to an air source 66. Frame 46 is thereby forced upward until its edge spaced from the rearengages stop 58. When the light beam is interrupted by the-succeeding sheet, solenoid 62 is deenergized and valve moved to a position to exhaust air from the cylinder. The frame is then free to travel downward with the sheet in the cones.

A second solenoid i9 is connected across lines so and 6| by conductors l and II for operating stop 55. The circuit to solenoid 69 may be completed by manually closing a switch 12, preferably of the push-button type. When switch 12 is closed, stop 55'is retracted from the path of frame 40 and the pneumatic means lifts the frameto position where sheets are diverted to the reject rack.

Preferably the circuit contains a limit switch 73 and a second pair of contacts I4 operated by switch I2. are connected in series through a conductor and form a shunt current path around photoelectric cell 66, as shown in Figure 6.

Contacts M are closed whenever switch 12 is operated. Thus solenoid 62 is energized and valve 63 maintains pressure on the pneumatic cylinder irrespective of interruption of the light beam to cell 66 whenever the shunt circuit is closed. However, limit switch I3 prevents closing of the shunt circuit except when the frame is in reject position.

A shown in Figure 3, limit switch 13 is situated above the forward end of frame 40 and isopen except when said frame is raised past the switch toggle. When contacts H are closed, the shunt circuit remains open until the frame is raised approximately to reject position to close the limit switch. Thusinitial raising of the frame is always through energization of solenoid 62 via cell 56 and the frame cannot be raised when a sheet is being fed to the handling mechanism.

When the frame is in reject position and limit switch 13 is closed, the frame remains in this position and diverts sheets to the reject rack as long as switch 12 and contacts 74 thereof are held closed. When these contacts are released, the valve is operated to exhaust the cylinder and the frame returns by gravity to the entry level, where dogs 50 and SI engage the threads on shafts 41 and 48. The escaping air provides a cushion for lowering the frame.

The operation of a piler constructed as described may be summarized as follows:

Sheets S from a. processing line are delivered to conveyor 63 of the feed mechanism, passed through rolls 45, over conveyor 44, and through rolls 4B. The sheets are thereby spaced somewhat and bowed upwardly.

From rolls 46 the sheets are fed to the top threads of the first pair of cones l2 and i3. The peripheral speed of these top threads is approximately equal to the linear speed of a sheet, although some slippage between the sheet edges and threads is unavoidable but of no consequence.

When feeding starts, the line of contact between rolls 46 is at the same level as the top thread. As feeding continues, the sheetis ad- The limit switch and contacts 14' vanced and progessively engages lower threads in the cones. Rolls 46 are lowered at the same rate as the sheet. When the sheet clears the rolls, the frame and rolls are raised again to entry level by operation of pneumatic means 52.

After completion of feeding, the sheet is carried entirely by the cone threads. The periph-' eral speed of the threads progressively diminishes due to the taper in the cones. Thus the forward linear speed of the sheet is progressively dimin- It is seen that thepiler is operable without adjustment to pile sheets of a considerable range of lengths, since raising and lowering of the frame is independent of sheet length.

When the operator detects sheets that should be rejected, he operates switch 12 which causes 1 the frame to be lifted to reject position and sheets are diverted to the reject rack as long as this switch is closed.

From the foregoing it is seen that I have provided a piler of relatively simple construction and yet capable of piling sheets expeditiously and without damage to the sheets through scraping or abrupt stopping.

While I have disclosed but a single embodiment of the apparatus, it is apparent that modifications may arise without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore I do not wish to be limited by the disclosure set forth, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a pair of opposed series of downwardly tapering screw threaded cones, means mounting said cones for rotation on outwardly divergent axes whereby their inner opposed faces are vertical and spaced uniformly, and means for feeding sheets to the upper threads of the first cones in said series, succeeding threads of following cones having. progressively diminishing diameters for carrying the sheets forwardand downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed.

2. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a pair of opposed series of inverted screw threaded cones, means mounting said cones for rotation on outwardly divergent axes whereby their inner opposed faces are vertical, vertically movable means for feedin sheets to the upper threads-of the first cones in said series, and means for driving the cones and simultaneously lowering said feeding means, succeeding threads of following cones carrying the sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, lowering of said feeding means maintaining sheets in the same level throughout feeding.

3. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a handling mechanism for carrying sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing for-- ward linear speed. a feed mechanism for feeding sheets to said handling mechanism, drive means for operating said handling mechanism and simultaneously lowering said feed mechanism at the same rate as sheets travel downward in said handling mechanism, and means for raising said feed mechanism at the conclusion of feeding each sheet.

4. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a pair 'of opposed series of inverted screw threaded oones,'means mounting said cones for rotation on outwardly divergent axes whereby their inner opposed faces are vertical, a feed mechanism for feeding sheets to said cones, drive means for rotating said cones and thereby carrying sheets fed to the cones forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, said drive means simultaneously lowering said feed mechanism at the same rate as sheets travel downward in said cones, and means for raising said, feed. mechanism at the conclusion of feeding each sheet. y

5. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a frame, a pair of longitudinally extending beams sup- 7 ported on said frame, a pairof opposed series of inverted downwardly tapering screw threaded cones rotatably mounted respectively on said beams, the axes of the cone series being outwardly divergent, whereby inner opposed faces of the cones are vertical and spaced uniformly, the threads of the two series of cones being oppositely directed, shaft and gear means for rotating the series of cones in opposite directions whereby the opposed vertical faces travel linearly in the same direction. and means for feeding sheets to the'upper threads of the first cones. succeeding threads of following cones having-progressively diminishing diametersfor carrying the sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed.

6. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a frame, a pair of longitudinally extending beams, means supporting said beams on said frame for adjustment in their transversespacing, a pair of opposed series of inverted screw threaded cones rotatably mounted respectively on said beams, the axes of the cone series being outwardly divergent whereby inner opposed faces of the cones are vertical, the threads of the two series of cones being oppositely directed, longitudinal drive shafts rotatably carried by said beams and geared to said cones, a transverse drive shaft rotatably carried by said frame and geared to said longitudinal drive shafts for rotating said conesv in opposite directions whereby their opposed vertical faces travel linearly in the same direction, the gearing on the transverse shaft being slidable thereto to permit beam adjustment, and means for feeding sheets to the upper threads of the first cones, succeeding threads of following cones progressively diminishing forward linear speed.

7. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a pair of opposed series of downwardly tapering screw threaded cones, means mounting said cones for rotation on outwardly divergent axes whereby their inner opposed faces are vertical and spaced uniformly, and means for feeding sheets to the upper threads of the first cones in said series, succeeding threads of following cones having progressively diminishing diameters for carrying the sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, said feeding means bowing the sheets upwardly prior to engagement with the cone threads to prevent sagging of the sheets.

8. A sheet piling apparatus comprising handling mechanism for carrying sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, a feed mechanism for feeding sheets to said handling mechanism, drive means for operating said handling mechanism and simultaneously lowering said feed mechanism at the same rate as sheets travel downward in said handling mechanism, means for raising said feed mechanism, and photoelectric means for actuating said raising means as each sheet clears the feed mechanism.

9. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a handling mechanism for carrying sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, a vertically movable feed mechanism for feeding sheets to said handling mechanism, stop means normally operable to position said feed mechanism at the level of entry of sheets to said handling mechanism, means for lowering said feed mechanism at the same rate as sheets travel downward in said handling mechanism, means for raising said feed mechanism to carrying the sheets forward and downward at said entry level at the conclusion of feeding each sheet, and means for retracting said stop means handling mechanism including a plurality of rotatable inverted screw threaded cones for carrying sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, a vertically movable feed mechanism for feeding sheets to said cones, drive means for rotating said cones and simultaneously lowering said feed mechanism at the same rate as sheets travel downward in said cones, means for raising said feed mechanism, photoelectric means for actuating said raising means as each sheet clears the feed mechanism, and stop means normally engaging the feed mechanism to position it at the level of entry of sheets to said cones.

11. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a handling mechanism 1 including a plurality of rotatable inverted screw threaded cones for carrying sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, a vertically movable feed mechanism for feeding sheets to said cones, drive means forrotating said cones and simultaneously lowering said feed mechanism at the same rate as sheets travel downward in said cones, pneumatic means for raising said feed I mechanism, photoelectric means for actuating on outwardly divergent axes whereby their inner opposed faces are vertical, said cones being adapted to carry sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, vertically movable feed mechanism for feeding sheets to said cones, drive means for rotating said cones and simultaneously lowering said feed mechanism at the same rate as sheets travel downward in said cones, means for raising said feed mechanism, photoelectric means for actuating said raising means as each sheet clears the feed mechanism, and stop means normally engaging the feed mechanism to position it at the level of entry of sheets to said cones.

13. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a handling mechanism including a plurality of rotatable inverted screw threaded cones for engaging sheet edges and carrying sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, a vertically movable feed -mechanlsm for feeding sheets to said cones, drive 1 means for raising said feed mechanism, 'photoelectric means for actuating said raising means as each sheet clears the feed mechanism, and means for bowing the sheets upwardly in said feeding means to prevent sagging of th sheets while supported from their edges in the cone threads.

14. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a pair of opposed series of inverted 'screw threaded cones, means mounting said cones for rotation on 10 conveyor and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed.

18. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a conveyor adapted to receive sheets traveling at relatively high speed from a processing line, said conveyor traveling at higher speed than the sheets in the processing line to space the sheets apart, a pair of series of inverted screw threaded cones,

means mounting said cones for rotation on outwardly divergent axes whereby their inner opposed faces are vertical, means for rotating'said cones at a rate such that the linear speed of the feed mechanism, retractable stop means normally engaging the feed mechanism to position it at the level of entry of sheets to said cones, means for retracting said stop means to permit said pneumatic means to raise said feed mechanism above said entry level for diverting reject sheets,

and means for bowing sheets upwardly in said feeding means to prevent sagging of the sheets while supported from their edges in the cone threads.

15. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a handling mechanism for carrying sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, a vertically'movable feed mechanism for feeding sheets to said handling mechanism, drive means for operating said handling mechanism and simultaneously lowering said feed mechanism at the same rate as sheets travel downward in said handling mechanism, means for raising said feed mechanism at the conclusion of feeding of each sheet, and means normally stopping raising of the feed mechanism at the level of entry of sheets to said handling mechanism, said stop means being retractable to permit raising of said feed means "above said entry level for diverting reject sheets.

16. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a handling mechanism for carrying sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, a. vertically movable feed mechanism for feeding sheets to said handling mechanism, drive means for operating said handling mechanism and simultaneously lowering said feed mechanism at the same rate as sheets travel downward in said handling mechanism, means 'for raising said feed mechanism, photoelectric means for actuating said raising means at the conclusion of feeding each sheet, means normally stopping raising of the feed mechanism at the level of entry of sheets to said handling mechanism, said stop means being retractable to permit raising of said feed means above said entry level for diverting reject sheets, and limit switch means preventing raising of said feed mechanism except atconclusion of feeding of a sheet.

17. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a contop threads approximates the linear speed of sheets on said conveyor, said cones carrying sheets from said conveyor and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed, said cone rotating means being operatively connected with said conveyor for lowering the conveyor at the same rate as sheets travel downward in said cones, and means for raising the conveyor to the level at which sheets are fed to the cones at the conclusion of feeding of a sheet.

19. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a conveyor adapted to receive sheets traveling at relatively high speed from a processing line, said conveyor traveling at higher speed than the sheets in the processing line to space the sheets apart, mating convex and concave rolls in the path of, the sheets for bowing the sheets upwardly, a pair of series of inverted downwardly tapering screw threaded cones, means mounting said cones for rotation on outwardly divergent axes whereby their inner opposed faces are vertical and spaced uniformly, and means for rotating said cones at a rate such that the linear speed of the top threads approximates the linear speed of sheets on said conveyor, said rolls delivering sheets to said cones and the succeeding threads of said cones having progressively diminishing diameters for carrying the sheets forwardand downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed.

20. A sheet piling apparatus comprising a conveyor adapted to receive sheets traveling at relatively high speed from a processing line, said conveyor traveling at higher speed than the sheets in the processing line to space the sheets apart, mating convex and concave rolls in the path of the sheets for bowing the sheets upwardly. a pair of series of inverted screw threaded cones, means mounting said cones for rotation on outwardly divergent axes wherebyv their inner opposed faces are vertical, means for rotating said cones at a rate such-that the linear speed of the top threads approximates the linear speed of sheets on said veyor adapted to receive sheets traveling at relatively high speed from a processing line, said conveyor traveling at higher "speed than the 'sheets in the processing line to space the sheets apart, a pair of series of inverted downwardly tapering screw threaded cones, means mounting said cones for rotation on outwardly divergent axes whereby their inner opposed faces are vertical and spaced uniformly, and means for rotating said cones at a rate such that the linear speed of the top threads approximates the linear speed of sheets on said conveyor, succeeding threads of said cones having progressively diameters for carrying sheets forward from said conveyor, said rolls delivering sheets to said cones and said cones carrying the sheets forward and downward at progressively diminishing forward linear speed. said cone rotating means being operatively connected with said conveyor for lowering the conveyor at the same downward in said cones, and means for raising said conveyor at the conclusion of feeding of a sheet. EARLL R. MUDDIMAN.

Date June 8, 1919 Mar. 11, 1930 rate as sheets travel Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,472,225.

I be read With these correc w rd-10f, the Signed and sealed this 15 tions therein that N qse in the Patent Ofiice. th day of November/A. D. 1949. 

